Stars make progress, fall in home opener – mySanAntonio.com

One by one they emerged, starters and reserves, from a smoke-filled tunnel. It was an impressive entrance for the Stars, the pomp and circumstance one would expect for a home opener.

But it was far from the only use of smoke on the night by the home team. There was the smoke that accompanied the mirrors that Stars coach Vickie Johnson has had to employ during an injury-filled start to the season.

With Kayla McBride back from Turkey, the Stars added another crucial piece to their puzzle. It just was not enough.

Brittney Griner had 20 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks as Phoenix outlasted the Stars 78-72 on Friday before 6,400 at the AT&T Center.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Stars Monique Currie and Phoenix Mercurys Brittney Griner grab for a rebound during first half action Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Monique Currie and Phoenix Mercurys Brittney Griner grab for a rebound during first half action Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

Fans sing during the San Antonio Stars and Phoenix Mercury game Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

Fans sing during the San Antonio Stars and Phoenix Mercury game Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Kelsey Plum (left) and Moriah Jefferson watch first half action against the Phoenix Mercury from the bench Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Kelsey Plum (left) and Moriah Jefferson watch first half action against the Phoenix Mercury from the bench Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars head coach Vickie Johnson calls a play during first half action against the Phoenix Mercury Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars head coach Vickie Johnson calls a play during first half action against the Phoenix Mercury Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

Fans grab for a t-shirt during the San Antonio Stars and Phoenix Mercury game Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

Fans grab for a t-shirt during the San Antonio Stars and Phoenix Mercury game Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

Phoenix Mercurys Brittney Griner reacts after a team basket during first half action against the San Antonio Stars Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

Phoenix Mercurys Brittney Griner reacts after a team basket during first half action against the San Antonio Stars Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Kelsey Plum (left) and Moriah Jefferson watch first half action against the Phoenix Mercury from the bench Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Kelsey Plum (left) and Moriah Jefferson watch first half action against the Phoenix Mercury from the bench Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

Phoenix Mercury head coach Sandy Brondello reacts after a play during second half action against the San Antonio Stars Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center. The Phoenix Mercury won 78-72.

Phoenix Mercury head coach Sandy Brondello reacts after a play during second half action against the San Antonio Stars Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center. The Phoenix Mercury won 78-72.

San Antonio Stars Kayla McBride is introduced before the game with the Phoenix Mercury Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Kayla McBride is introduced before the game with the Phoenix Mercury Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Kelsey Plum is introduced before the game with the Phoenix Mercury Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Kelsey Plum is introduced before the game with the Phoenix Mercury Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Isabelle Harrison shoots around Phoenix Mercurys Brittney Griner during first half action Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Isabelle Harrison shoots around Phoenix Mercurys Brittney Griner during first half action Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Nia Coffey (from left), Phoenix Mercurys Yvonne Turner, and San Antonio Stars Monique Currie grab for a loose ball during first half action Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Nia Coffey (from left), Phoenix Mercurys Yvonne Turner, and San Antonio Stars Monique Currie grab for a loose ball during first half action Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Kayla McBride (center) grabs for a loose ball between Phoenix Mercurys Camille Little and Stephanie Talbot during first half action Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Kayla McBride (center) grabs for a loose ball between Phoenix Mercurys Camille Little and Stephanie Talbot during first half action Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Stars Erika de Souza shoots around Phoenix Mercurys Brittney Griner during second half action Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center. The Phoenix Mercury won 78-72.

San Antonio Stars Erika de Souza shoots around Phoenix Mercurys Brittney Griner during second half action Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center. The Phoenix Mercury won 78-72.

The Stars Isabelle Harrison moves around the Mercurys Cayla George in the second half. Harrison had a team-high 16 points.

The Stars Isabelle Harrison moves around the Mercurys Cayla George in the second half. Harrison had a team-high 16 points.

San Antonio Stars Monique Currie shoots around Phoenix Mercurys Brittney Griner during second half action Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center. The Phoenix Mercury won 78-72.

San Antonio Stars Monique Currie shoots around Phoenix Mercurys Brittney Griner during second half action Friday May 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center. The Phoenix Mercury won 78-72.

Stars make progress, fall in home opener

The Stars (0-3) played without point guards Moriah Jefferson (right knee soreness) and Kelsey Plum (right sprained ankle), the No. 1 pick in Aprils WNBA draft. Johnson said she is hopeful Plum and Jefferson will be ready to play in the teams next game, Thursday at home against the Dallas Wings.

Were still missing two pieces, Johnson said. Ill be excited to see our team next week against Dallas. You guys will see the real Stars in action.

Fridays game gave Johnson and her players reason to be optimistic. Besides McBride returning to score 14 points less than 24 hours after arriving in San Antonio from Turkey, center Isabelle Harrison scored a career-high 16 points, the second time in three games she has accomplished the feat.

Kayla Alexander and Monique Currie had eight points apiece to pace a bench that registered 38 points, 17 rebounds and three steals. Alex Montgomery contributed seven points and 12 rebounds.

Were getting better a little bit at a time, McBride said. We know everything is new - coach is new, systems new. We dont even have our point guards yet. I think weve been able to make plays and be in games and continue to get better. That focus is going to take us further when we do start adding these pieces, when we do start getting to know each other better. We know its a process.

The process appeared as if it had reached fruition when the Stars rallied from a 16-point deficit in the first half to get within 46-44 on Sequoia Holmes jumper with 7:06 left in the third quarter.

Phoenix (2-1) gradually pulled away to push its advantage back to 10 going into the final period. The Stars were within 75-70 with 1:06 to play, but Leilani Mitchells 3-pointer with 51 seconds put the game out of reach.

Diana Taurasi added 17 points for Phoenix. Mitchell tallied 14 and former Stars guard Danielle Robinson, acquired by the Mercury in an offseason trade, chipped in 12.

I think its all going to help out when we get our point guards back and its going to help the rest of the offense flow, Harrison said.

tthomas@express-news.net

Twitter: @en_terrence

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Stars make progress, fall in home opener - mySanAntonio.com